Led By: Samayasri & Suryapala
Friday, November 21st to Monday, November 24th, 2025
In Person at Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing
191 Cragsmoor Road, Pine Bush, NY 12566
Event Description:
The practice of love is one of the great stands of meditation practice. It supports us to look kindly at ourselves and the world — to see and be the love we seek, respond with compassion to suffering, and be fearless in the face of life’s inevitable challenges and difficulties.
These aspects of love are called the Bramaviharas, or Divine Abodes: metta (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity).
The weekend retreat is offered in the context of our 2025 theme on the blue Buddha: Akshobhya, the Buddha of joy, groundedness, and confidence. We will focus on cultivating all these qualities through meditation, ritual, discussion, and living in community.
By cultivating these qualities, we can develop a more compassionate outlook on life and, ultimately, move towards liberation from suffering.
Event Highlights:
Instruction and support from highly experienced teachers
A thoughtful balance of meditation, yoga, contemplation, ritual, and rest periods
A supportive and friendly community of practitioners
Access to individual meditation support if needed
Q&A with teachers
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally-sourced ingredients
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful walking paths, flora, and fauna
Single rooms for all (option for couples to share)
Experience:
OPEN TO ALL!
Meditation: This retreat will be most suitable for people with any level of meditation experience, including none at all. Beginner instruction will be offered during the retreat, as needed.
Mindful Movement: Optional. No experience needed, very accessible.
The retreat will commence with dinner at 6pm on Friday, November 21st and will conclude after lunch on Monday, November 24th, 2025.
Schedule (subject to change):
Friday, November 21st
3:00 PM — Check in begins
5:00-5:45 PM — Pre-retreat meeting (library)
6:00-7:00 PM — Dinner (dining room)
7:15-7:30 PM — Welcome (library)
7:30-8:00 PM — Large group introduction (Milarepa Hall)
8:00-9:00 PM — Evening practice (Milarepa Hall)
9:00 PM— Silence until after breakfast
Saturday, November 22nd - Sunday, November 23rd
6:30-6:50 AM — Movement (Practice Pavilion or Milarepa Hall, weather-dependent)
7:00-8:30 AM — Morning practice (Milarepa Hall)
8:30-9:30 AM — Breakfast (dining hall)
10:00 AM-12:15 PM — Morning dharma teaching & practice
12:30-1:30 PM — Lunch (dining hall)
2:30-3:30 PM — Free time, group healing, movement (Milarepa Hall)
3:30-5:45 PM — Community dharma & small group sharing (Milarepa Hall)
6:00-7:00 PM — Dinner
7:30-9:00 PM — Evening Practice (Milarepa Hall)
9:00 PM — Silence until after breakfast
Monday, November 24th
6:30-6:50 AM — Movement (Practice Pavilion or Milarepa Hall, weather-dependent)
7:00-8:30 AM — Morning practice (Milarepa Hall)
8:30-9:30 AM — Breakfast (dining hall)
9:30-10:00 AM — Packing
10:00 AM-12:00 PM — Morning dharma teaching & practice (Practice Pavilion or Milarepa Hall, weather-dependent)
Intention setting
Closing circle
12:00-1:00 PM — Lunch
1:00 PM — Checkout and departure
Accommodations:
The Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing is located in scenic Pine Bush, New York in the Catskill Mountains and offers private rooms with healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian meals. The grounds are beautifully curated and feature walking paths, along with an outdoor pavilion.
About the Leaders:
Samayasri is an experienced Order Member in Triratna who has served as Chair of the NY-NJ Sangha for many years. She is also the President of the San Francisco and Vancouver, BC Sanghas. She has taught meditation for over 20 years, and has a deep commitment to her ethics and confession practice. Her practice directly informs her career in global humanitarian & development organizations, within which she has learned to face deeply into suffering.
Suryapala is an Ordained Buddhist in the Triratna Buddhist Community and has been practicing meditation regularly for seven years. He began his Buddhist journey in the United Kingdom and for the last several years has been an active member of the New York/New Jersey sangha.
Event Registration:
Please use this link to register directly on the Dharmakaya website.
You will need the use the password: Akshobhya108
Pricing:
Per Person Price: Prices include 3 meals per day and use of all campus facilities.
Commuter – $255
Private Room (shared bath): Single – $585
Private Room (shared bath): Couple – $502.50
Junior Suite (private bath): Single – $795
Junior Suite (private bath): Couple – $645
To extend your stay on personal retreat: Simply add days before or after the program during step 2 when making your reservation.
Cancellation policy : Program and accommodations fees are refundable up to two weeks prior to the program (less a $50 processing fee). See Dharmakaya policy to learn more.